Joakim Noah joked that he hasn't taken his Knicks cap off since he signed a four-year, $72 million deal with his hometown team last month.

"I think the Bulls-Knicks games are going to be good ones," Noah said, smiling. "I'm looking forward to it. I think everybody is. It's going to be a very competitive game with a lot of emotions. I'm trying to stay in the moment and focus on being as healthy as possible."

It was clear during an interview last week in his Chicago residence, with its sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the skyline, that leaving the Bulls in the right way was important to him.

"I have no anger towards nobody," Noah said. "If we had a couple rough years at the end, I'm just still so grateful for the opportunity the Bulls gave me. It's like a family to me. Even though it's a new chapter for the end of my career to be in New York, I think Chicago is always going to be a home to me.

"Everywhere I go in this city, it's always love. If I'm walking in the airport, wherever I am and someone's from Chicago, it's never animosity or negative or why did you leave us? It's always very appreciative. And it's humbling. I know free agency is a business. But I feel I always show a lot of respect for this city and its people. And I get love back for it. And it feels good."

Noah called Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, President Michael Reinsdorf, executive vice president John Paxson, general manager Gar Forman and other organizational members when his nine-season run with the Bulls ended. But it's also clear the Knicks leaped to the forefront of his free-agency choices as soon as the Bulls traded close friend Derrick Rose to the Knicks on June 22.

The East Garfield Park resident also isn't fazed or even star-struck for a second when Noah pulls...

Jaquan Funches doesn't really care that Joakim Noah signed with the Knicks in NBA free agency.

"I wanted him on the Bulls, but I support anybody I see that's doing good for themselves," Funches said.

The East Garfield Park resident also isn't fazed or even star-struck for a second when Noah pulls...

(K.C. Johnson)

"When the Derrick trade went down, it was for a center, for Robin (Lopez)," Noah said. "So I knew that there was going to be a (Knicks) need for a center. I remember my agent telling me this team was going to be an option and this team was going to be an option. And I couldn't even think about anything but playing for New York. My mind was already set on where I wanted to play. It made too much sense — hometown, Derrick, Phil (Jackson), just everything. For me, it's like a dream come true."

Noah said his left shoulder, which needed season-ending surgery to repair a dislocation in January, has fully healed. He even stretched his left arm behind his head to try to prove it.

For the second straight summer, Noah has spent time at P3, the acclaimed sports science academy in Santa Barbara, Calif., first popularized by former Bull Kyle Korver.

"I'm feeling good," Noah said.

The two-time All-Star and 2014 Defensive Player of the Year called the Bulls' offseason moves "exciting." And he knows his and Rose's Nov. 4 return to the United Center will be an emotional one.

"Feelings I haven't felt before. I'm not there yet," Noah said. "It will be a big one, though."

kcjohnson@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kcjhoop

Joakim Noah visits The Firehouse Community Arts Center in Chicago to promote his "Rock Your Drop" campaign which aims to empower young people and promote nonviolence. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Joakim Noah visits The Firehouse Community Arts Center in Chicago to promote his "Rock Your Drop" campaign which aims to empower young people and promote nonviolence. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)